September 3rd 2015

In this edition, get an insight into how the support groups Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon help alcoholics and their families cope with alcoholism. Also read how bike ambulances are faring in Bengaluru, the reason why you may get curdled milk from the Karnataka Milk Federation, and what you can do to make the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations eco-friendly. As a follow-up to our special coverage of the BBMP elections, we also have a few features on the newly elected corporators and the upcoming Mayoral elections. Happy reading!

This week’s highlight: One day at a time

Alcoholism comes with a litany of problems, for both the alcoholic and his/her family and friends. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous and the family-focused Al-Anon discuss living with alcoholism, and what they do to cope. While they call it an ‘incurable disease’, there certainly is light at the end of the tunnel.

Nandini curd and milk packets bought on the same day. Both show different dates, with no clarity on whether it is use-by date or date of manufacture. Pic: Shree DN

Some half litre Nandini milk and curd packets don’t carry the words ‘Use by’ on the packaged date stamping. Sakuntala Narasimhan asks if this is one more instance of the government taking the public for a ride. Read: Mislabelling, lack of quality and what more?

On September 2nd, various trade unions across Bengaluru called for a bandh against the Road Safety and Transport bill to be tabled by the government in the parliament. Why were they objecting to the bill? Read: Here’s why the September 2nd bandh was called.

Here’s an example of what an active Resident Welfare Association can achieve. By ensuring that every voter was on the rolls and by helping out those who had questions on Election day, Hemmigepura ward saw 59.4% turnout, the second highest from any ward in Bengaluru.

Chandra Shekhar Balachandran’s hilarious account of what ensues when an Indian Babu interrupts a presentation is an accurate depiction of what happens when those in power interact with the masses. Read: Blustering Babutopia.

In her latest post, Deepa Mohan features a mother who hunts for baby food even before she has given birth. Read the exciting account of what happens when the Spider or Pompilid Wasp, meets a spider, a Tarantula no less. Read: Nature’s drama.

In other news…

Amidst apprehension surrounding the Mayoral election, JD(S) has declared that it will join hands with Congress to come to power in BBMP. The two parties will form an alliance with support from independents in the Mayor election scheduled for September 11th. Backchannel deals are going on, on the power-sharing formula.

In the backdrop of the BBMP finalising the list of eligible voters for the Mayoral election, BJP’s five women corporators have filed a petition in the High Court. They have questioned the KMC Act’s provision to allow MLAs, MLCs and MPs to vote in the Mayor election.

BBMP launched a drive to evict over 100 illegal structures in KR Market on the night of August 29th. These structures were attached to shops inside the market, leaving no space for ventilation.

Bengaluru Metropolitan Task Force (BMTF) has filed a chargesheet against former corporator V Krishna and two BBMP officials for alleged forgery of the official letterhead. Assistant Commissioner for Advertisements, K Mathai is the complainant in the case.

The State Cabinet on August 31st, approved a proposal for load shedding in Bengaluru. According to the proposal, the city will face two hours of power cut every day. This is due to the power production deficit that the state is going through.

BBMP will introduce paid parking on 56 roads within a five kilometres radius of Vidhana Soudha from October. The contract for implementing the system will be given to a private contractor, according to the BBMP Administrator.

Events this week

Tap your feet to Heartbreak Hotel, a piece that fuses dance, live music and art into a story thats shares the secrets of every man and woman. This will be staged at Alliance Francaise on September 3rd.

National Law School’s annual theatre fest Admit One is back in its 10th edition. Over 27 plays are being staged from September 4th to 6th.